I haven't had this happen to this extent but I have noticed that the birds seem to prefer feeders the are near trees or something to screen them rather than ones right out in the open. Having said that they do still come to my most exposed feeder but it took them longer to warm up to it. Not sure if that is any help, I am a very amateur bird watcher or feeder.
A beautiful capture and even more with the sprinkle of raindrops. Perhaps the birds are not hungry at the moment there are still a lot of berries about. I am sure they will soon be back.
I think Joanne @gardencat is on the right lines.
They do prefer feeders near to some cover that they can quickly dart into if a sudden problem such as a cruising Sparrowhawk appears. Most of my feeders are fairly close to large bushes.
Is there a variety of food in the feeders ?
Sometimes the many birds in my garden chose to ignore a certain type of food ( eg peanuts ) in favour of the others on offer.
One other thing, have any of your near neighbours started laying out a better selection of food ? I have seen in one place, where most houses in the road feed the birds, that the birds seem to favour one or two gardens over the rest.
Mark, thanks for your answer. I have found there are apparently 3 houses which feed the birds near here and have lots of birds coming to their feeders, acording to my neighbour so I suspect that is it. We had seed out, plus fat balls which went mouldy and were removed! Even when we had birds coming in the previous location they were almost exclusively robins and blackbirds.
The feeder is still quite close to a leafy wisteria but I think the answer is other people feeding birds whichI just found out from my immediate neighbour.
The wild birdseed is mostly taken by pigeons and sparrows if you have any.
Try sunflower hearts ( the ones with out the shells). They are more nutritious, and are favoured by gold / green finches and various tit species. Suspect your neighbours will be using those. Once they find you have them, word will soon spread amongst the various species.
Thanks for hints and tips. We got the last bag of sunflower hearts at the garden centre and replaced the old seed with it, plus re-did the fatball holder. The very next day a couple of birds came and today a couple more - blackbirds and robins again but a great start.
A fabulous shot with those droplets on its wings
They do prefer feeders near to some cover that they can quickly dart into if a sudden problem such as a cruising Sparrowhawk appears. Most of my feeders are fairly close to large bushes.
Is there a variety of food in the feeders ?
Sometimes the many birds in my garden chose to ignore a certain type of food ( eg peanuts ) in favour of the others on offer.
One other thing, have any of your near neighbours started laying out a better selection of food ? I have seen in one place, where most houses in the road feed the birds, that the birds seem to favour one or two gardens over the rest.
Mark, thanks for your answer. I have found there are apparently 3 houses which feed the birds near here and have lots of birds coming to their feeders, acording to my neighbour so I suspect that is it. We had seed out, plus fat balls which went mouldy and were removed! Even when we had birds coming in the previous location they were almost exclusively robins and blackbirds.
If they don't come in the winter, I think we shall give up!
The feeder is still quite close to a leafy wisteria but I think the answer is other people feeding birds whichI just found out from my immediate neighbour.
Try sunflower hearts ( the ones with out the shells). They are more nutritious, and are favoured by gold / green finches and various tit species. Suspect your neighbours will be using those. Once they find you have them, word will soon spread amongst the various species.
The pigeons don't come here because Ray jumps up and waves his arms about if they try!!!!!!!!!!!
@30pics4jackiesdiamond @pcoulson @markp @wendyfrost @gardencat